Three shadows

When three spectral figures come for Louis and Lise's son, Louis refuses to let the boy die without trying to prevent it, so he and his family embark on a journey to the ends of the earth, fleeing death.

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Incorporating fantasy and psychological fable, this graphic novel follows the plight of a young family whose idyllic days are shattered by three stalking shadows.Meer lezen...

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Review in March 15th 2008 issue of Booklist Country life is simple and sweet for young Joachim and his parents, Louis and Lise--filled with cozy winter nights, lazy summer days, and, always, the chores associated with running the orchards. One day three Shadows appear on the horizon, and everything changes. Louis and Lise know that these shadowy fates have come for Joachim. Determined to save the boy, Louis flees with Joachim, desperate to stay one step ahead of the deathly Shadows. Pedrosa's intriguing, poignant fable unfolds beautifully in both words and pictures. The fluidity of the art reflects Pedrosa's roots in animation, and the high-contrast shading effectively underscores the tension and emotion of the narrative. One brief instance of nonsexualized nudity should be noted, but that detracts not at all from this dark, well crafted tale. Review in Publisher's Weekly Rarely has the succulent appeal of quiet country life been portrayed with such sensual skill as it is in Pedrosa's limpid graphic novel about a boy, his parents and the trio of hooded riders who watch them. Pedrosa adeptly establishes the mood of timeless bucolic idyll immediately, with his swirling, sometimes harshly etched, black-and-white renderings of the land cultivated by hulking farmer Louis; his wife, Lise; and their scampering boy, Joachim. The family's playful antics are overshadowed first by ruminative narration, then by three riders, who watch the family with unnerving patience from the foggy distance. A local witch tells Lise that the "shadows" have come for Joachim, after which Louis impetuously makes a run for it with his son, warned that he must treasure every moment with the boy. The resulting story is more "Appointment in Samarra"-style dream than chase, with Louis and Joachim floundering from one mysterious episode to the next, the implacable shadows following, as in a nightmare. French artist Pedrosa's background as a Disney animator is clearest in his exaggeratedMeer lezen...

Beautiful art, wonderful story

This hefty little book only takes about an hour to read, and it's so worth it! Cyril Pedrosa's artwork is incredible. Each panel feels full of movement; it's easy for the images to come to life. The characters are cartoonish, yet they convey muscle and hair and sometimes just overall...Meer lezen...

This hefty little book only takes about an hour to read, and it's so worth it! Cyril Pedrosa's artwork is incredible. Each panel feels full of movement; it's easy for the images to come to life. The characters are cartoonish, yet they convey muscle and hair and sometimes just overall sliminess (for the "less morale" ones you meet along the way).

It's hard not to just talk about the art, but really, this is an awesome story. Young Joachim lives on a farm with his mother and father, leading a sweet and simple life (isn't that what farms are always like in books?). Then one night, Joachim sees three shadows on the hill, and everything changes. The three shadows continue to haunt the family, always lurking. When Joachim's mother realizes that this omen is something they must accept, the boy's father takes him and leaves in an effort to escape the shadows. We follow them on their journey

At the end of the story, we learn some of the background as to why Pedrosa wrote this book. It's a powerful story about enjoying what time we have with those we love, as well as the length a parent is willing to go to protect their child.

"When three spectral figures come for Louis and Lise's son, Louis refuses to let the boy die without trying to prevent it, so he and his family embark on a journey to the ends of the earth, fleeing death."@en